Gaza Strip – In the most brutal escalation of violence in recent weeks, Israel has launched extensive attacks across Gaza in what it calls the “opening moves” of its newly declared military campaign, “Gideon’s Chariots.” At least 115 Palestinians have been killed in indiscriminate airstrikes since dawn on Friday, according to health authorities.
The Israeli army claims the operation aims to “seize controlled areas in the Gaza Strip,” prompting thousands of residents in northern Gaza to flee their homes amid heavy aerial and artillery bombardments.
Medical sources told Al Jazeera that at least 13 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes early Friday alone, with casualties rising rapidly as the attacks intensified throughout the day.
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces stormed the town of Bruqin, west of Salfit, for the second consecutive day and arrested four Palestinian men after raiding their homes. In a separate incident, the Israeli military stormed a boys’ school in Kafr ad-Dik, causing widespread damage, according to the Quds News Network.
Wafa news agency reported that Israeli forces shot and killed Mohammad Nidal Abu Libdeh, a young Palestinian man, at the entrance of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem’s Old City. His home in the Beit Hanina neighborhood of East Jerusalem was later raided, and several locals were arrested and assaulted.
The Israeli army also closed the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque, detaining worshippers for hours before reopening the Lions’ Gate and attacking those exiting the area.
In southern Gaza, Israeli forces attacked the town of al-Fukhari, east of Khan Younis, killing at least one Palestinian. Heavy artillery fire was also reported near Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, targeting areas including Abu Holi, Abu al-Ajin, and al-Jafarawi.
Meanwhile, an Israeli drone strike targeted a vehicle in southern Lebanon’s Sidon district, reportedly violating the ceasefire with Hezbollah. There were no confirmed casualties at the time of reporting.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society issued a dire warning on X , stating that Gaza is being “left to starve” with no aid trucks entering the besieged enclave since March 2. “Let Aid In. Let Gaza Live,” the post read.
Author and journalist Omar El Akkad, speaking with Marc Lamont Hill on UpFront, condemned Western complicity in what he termed the Gaza genocide. “I’m killing those kids – my tax money is doing that,” he said, highlighting the moral decay of Western liberalism in the face of Israel’s actions.
The Israeli assault on Gaza, which began in 2023, is now nearing its second year. With the launch of “Gideon’s Chariots,” the military has signaled a renewed and expanded ground invasion despite mounting international criticism and calls for a ceasefire.
